Sunday, September 19, 2010

Every once in a while when I visit my parents my mom tells me to take some of her "treasures" home.

She is an obsessive collector and knows that she needs to get rid of things but she would much rather see them go to a new home then just toss them out.

They have had this chalkboard screwed to the wall in their staircase since before I was born. Last time I was at their house I just mentioned that someday I was going to "steal" that old chalkboard from them.

Not more then a minute later my dad came up to me (screwdriver still in hand) and pushed the chalkboard into my arms. (You don't think he is eager to de-clutter do you?)

Knowing that it was one of my moms many treasures I had to make sure she agreed, and when I turned to her she happily exclaimed that she already knew exactly what she was going to hang in its spot.

Poor dad,...I had to laugh.

It was a little beat up and wouldn't really even take the chalk anymore.

The chalk would just sort of make a squeaking noise and jump along only marking spots.

So I got a $3.00 bottle of chalkboard paint from Walmart and repainted the surface.

Now it works like a charm!

(warning,...major yellowed pictures coming up...pffhhttt!)

It even has this nifty little wooden chalk tray attached to it.

I gave it a thin coat of ivory paint and sanded the edges so that it still had a rustic feel.

It's as good as new and is finding its new home in my office on my art wall!

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Many of you read my sisters blog and know that this week my family has been in crisis.

You just didn't know that it was my family as well because many of you don't know that Wendy is my sister.

Well she is my sister and my best friend.

When she called me with the news on Monday that John (her husband) had been seriously injured in a car accident I did what any sister would do. I worried. I prayed. And I worried more.

The next day when my mom called to tell me that my dad (who still thinks he is Indiana Jones even though he is now 73 years old) had fallen while trimming the branches high in a tree in our back yard, and had broken his hip and a disc in his back, I worried, and prayed, and cried.

They both has extensive surgery, and both surgeries went well.

By Friday my dad was having so many complications that they couldn't keep him conscious long enough to have a lucid conversation. Then my Steve held me and tried to book me an immediate flight to Utah while I cried, and worried, and prayed.

About one hour later when Steve had finally found a decent flight and was about to buy the ticket Wendy called me to tell me that my dad had taken a turn for the better. His oxygen levels had improved, he was awake and lucid, and he was having conversations with them. He was "out of the woods".

After a long talk with my mom we decided that it would be best for me to "stay put" for now with my four children who just started their school year, and my husband who has a very important business trip next week. Both my dad and John have long and painful recoveries ahead of them and it was "decided" that I would be of more use when they are both home from the hospital and my mother and my sister are trying to be super women and taking care of them an their own.

Although I have to agree with the logic, I feel helpless tonight.

Here I sit 11 hours away from some of my dearest loved ones and I am utterly useless.

I know that Wendy is spent emotionally and physically and I can't even wrap my arms around her.

I know that my mom is putting on a brave face while she crumbles inside.

I want to hug my daddy. I am still his baby.

It has been a draining week and I have nothing to show for it but more worry lines.

(Oh who am I kidding,...they are wrinkles.)

So that's where I have been all week!

On the phone for hours on end,

being the chauffeur to my kiddos,

pacing around my house with my nerves fried,

eating far far far too much. (Stress eating?)

And,...being helpless and useless and homesick.

I have to say thank you to so many people who follow my sisters blog and who have given her so much heart felt support. I am amazed by the love and the bond that is formed in this little corner of blog land where none of us have ever even met each other, yet the compassion is palpable, and the support is almost tangible. My dad and John are healing and I know that this has a great deal to do with so many prayers that have been offered in their behalf. It is such a comfort to know that there are still so many people in the world who have faith and will pray for a stranger because they have compassion in their hearts.

It has been a scary week, but I am fully aware that my family is very blessed. After all, my dad and John are both still with us and according to the doctors that in and of itself is a miracle.

p.s. I haven't been completely unproductive,...I did what any logical person would do in the middle of a breakdown. I painted nearly every thing in my house white. (well,...ivory, or antique white. cream?)

I don't know why. Neutral colors just really calm me down.

White on white on white.........

Anyway,...I will post some of my many white pieces of home decor soon.

Thank you for letting me have a place to unload.

This is my cute dad in a newspaper article done by the Deseret News.
He collects and restores vintage cars.